Written Answers

Wednesday 29 November 2000

Scottish Executive

Cashmere Industry

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the reports in Scotland on Sunday and Business AM of a possible takeover of Dawson International by Prada, what representations have been made to the Department of Trade and Industry and what steps have been taken to safeguard jobs in the Borders’ cashmere industry should any takeover succeed.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Company takeovers are a commercial matter for the companies concerned. The Scottish Executive will make representations about the employment consequences of company takeovers. Dawson management say that an offer has recently been made for the company but have not named them. In the event of a takeover the Executive will be entering very early discussions with the acquiring company to discuss their intentions, especially where there are concerns about future employment to establish whether public support would help in creating or safeguarding employment.

Culture

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional resources will be provided to the National Galleries of Scotland to assist with checking the provenance of all items in their collection and, if so, what these resources will be and over what period.

Allan Wilson: In the light of representations from the Holocaust Education Trust, the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) have been carefully investigating the provenance of works of art acquired since 1933. No request has been made for additional funds from the Scottish Executive to assist with this work.

Dairy Produce

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request Her Majesty’s Government to make representations to the European Union regarding the current status of the Irish derogation on the level of somatic cell count for milk and what estimate it has made of the impact of this derogation on the Scottish dairy industry.

Susan Deacon: We are in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of issues, including matters relating to the dairy industry in Scotland. As the majority of Scottish dairy herds meet the somatic cell count standards, the Scottish Executive does not believe that the Irish derogation has made any impact on the Scottish dairy industry.

Doctors

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures are in place to ensure that all doctors practising in Scotland have undergone training and education equivalent to the standards in Scotland’s medical schools.

Susan Deacon: Regulation of the medical profession is a reserved matter. All doctors practising in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) which sets the standard for education and training by medical schools in the UK. Doctors coming to the UK from outwith the European Economic Area (EEA) are required to pass the GMC’s Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test, which assesses both their language skills and their clinical skills before being registered.

  Under the terms of European Community legislation, doctors from within the EEA are entitled to register in other member states. Minimum standards of training for both basic and specialist qualifications are laid down in the legislation.

Domestic Abuse

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make resources available to implement the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse’s National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland .

Jackie Baillie: A very significant funding package has been put together to implement the Partnership’s recommendations. The details are as follows:

  £10 million over three years from April 2001 for refuge development. This money has been added to the Scottish Homes’ budget and will be used to address the shortage of refuge spaces across Scotland.

  £4.5 million over three years from April 2001 to implement other Partnership recommendations.

  £3 million to fund an extension of the Domestic Abuse Service Development fund for a further two years from April 2002.

  £818,000 from current EYF to enable Scottish Women’s Aid to produce training packs for professionals, information leaflets in ethnic community languages, a leaflet for children and to improve facilities for the disabled and children at refuges and offices.

Drug Misuse

Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Scottish Executive news release SE01102/00, when the £2 million boost for the fight against drugs was first announced, and on how many occasions this money was referred to either on its own or as part of a different package in Executive news releases between this date and 17 April 2000.

Jackie Baillie: The total amount of extra resources was announced on 20 January 2000 and its distribution announced on 17 April. Between these dates one news release, on 9 February, referred to the additional £2 million.

Drug Misuse

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what detoxification facilities are currently available for those aged under 16 who are drug dependent in the greater Glasgow area and what measures are being taken to make additional facilities available to assist drug dependent children.

Angus MacKay: This information is not held centrally. There are no specific detoxification services available for those aged under 16 who are drug dependent.

  There are three social work projects at present in Glasgow city, which work with young people aged 12 and up, and approximately 120 under 16s are in contact with social work addiction services at any one time. Young people may be accepted for detoxification in an adult ward on a case-by-case basis.

  With social work realignment of services, there will be nine realigned addiction services expected by April 2001, which will address drug and alcohol misuse of those between the age of 12–16. The Glasgow Drug Action Team recognises the need to ensure that targeted services are available to this age group. Its strategy for 1999–2003 contains plans to develop services specifically targeted at young people.

Drug Misuse

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what detoxification facilities are currently available for drug dependent young mothers in the Greater Glasgow area, and what measures are being taken to make additional facilities available to assist drug dependent young mothers and their children.

Angus MacKay: There are several specific detoxification services available to drug dependant young mothers in Glasgow.

  There are two residential units in Glasgow with specific services for young mothers, and the Women’s Reproductive Health Service in Glasgow provides support and midwifery services to pregnant drug misusers. The Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital is a national centre of excellence for the care and treatment of women who are drug dependent, and there are several other residential detoxification establishments and specialist health service addiction services.

  The Glasgow Drug Action Team reported that, in 1998-99, 120 pregnant drug misusers were provided with support from council addiction services. Pregnant drug misusers are seen by all 13 social work addiction services in the Glasgow area. There are also several services available to female drug misusers, some of whom will have children.

  The Drug Action Team Strategy for 1999-2003 contains plans to review the needs of pregnant drug misusers on methadone, and to develop targeted services for babies and children affected by drug misuse. With the social work realignment of services there are seven new family support posts to work with families and pregnant drug misusers.

Employment

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an audit of skills in Scotland.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The employer-led National Training Organisations are responsible for providing information about current and future skills requirements based upon detailed knowledge of their sectors. NTOs operate on a UK-wide basis and audit the skills requirements of their sectors by a variety of means, such as:

  conducting Skills Foresight surveys, and publishing the results;

  gathering labour market intelligence, and

  participating in skills benchmarking.

  Robust labour market information and intelligence systems are essential if sectoral skills shortages are to be forecast accurately and timeously. A new Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit is presently being established to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the information needed to inform decisions about steps needed to address current and future sectoral skills shortages.

Enterprise

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2877 by Sarah Boyack on 12 January 2000, whether it will clarify what Scottish Enterprise’s delegated authority is and whether the spending category indicated would be allowable within the figure for delegated authority.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Scottish Enterprise does not propose to make a direct contribution to the cost of completion of the M74. However, Scottish Enterprise is committed to co-operating with the local authorities concerned to explore the economic development opportunities which will be created by the completion of the M74. It is too early to say what form any involvement by Scottish Enterprise might take in economic development activities associated with the extension of the M74 or to identify the appropriate level of delegated authority.

Enterprise

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and developers, to deal with any underlying shortage of IT-efficient, large-floorplate office accommodation in Glasgow city centre and peripheral locations such as business parks.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Scottish Enterprise Glasgow (SEG) continuously monitors market availability and suitability to ensure that all aspects of demand for office accommodation in Glasgow can be accommodated. SEG in partnership with Glasgow City Council has over the last five years assembled and promoted the Strategic Sites Programme, which allows IT companies who wish to build their own facility to purchase serviced sites direct from SEG at seven locations throughout Glasgow. In addition, SEG in partnership with Services to Software operate a incubator facility at 150 St Vincent Street which provides small offices on flexible terms with associated infrastructure and business support facilities. The incubator facility has been fully occupied since it opened three years ago.

  The city centre office market with a total stock of some 20 million square feet represents the largest office sector outwith London. Modern large-scale occupiers with a heavy IT requirement typically require increasingly large floorplates. This is to achieve economies of scale, to provide raised access flooring for underfloor cabling and air conditioning, and a floor to ceiling height of c.2.5 metres. To date there has been no evidence to suggest that the private sector has been unable to provide this standard of accommodation. However, due to the continuing trend for larger floorplates there is increasing evidence of development activity in the Broomielaw. This is primarily due to the fact that the traditional grid iron layout of the city centre cannot provide the size of floorplate some large companies require whereas the Broomielaw can. SEG together with Glasgow City Council and private sector developers have under consideration proposals for the development of business parks at several locations outside of the city centre. SEG in partnership with the private sector are creating a business park at Pacific Quay adjacent to the new National Science Centre. It is envisaged that Pacific Quay will appeal to companies with large IT requirements in the creative industries sector, for example media, design, and software development companies.

  In September Henry McLeish also announced the proposed inner-city Science Park development adjacent to Strathclyde University at a site which has been assembled by SEG at George Street/Albion Street to the east of the city centre. This projected £60 million development will ultimately provide c.500,000 square feet of office accommodation aimed specifically at target sectors of the economy which includes software, optoelectronics and biotechnology.

Environment

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement and incentives it provides to companies that are prepared to take responsibility for and develop brownfield sites.

Mr Sam Galbraith: National planning policies encourage the reuse of brownfield sites for new development.

  The Scottish Enterprise Network offers support for brownfield development ranging from direct property and site assistance, such as addressing adverse physical conditions associated with brownfield land, to indirect support, advice and advocacy, assessment of the property market and opportunities for competitive advantage.

  The development of some dwellings in deprived areas is supported financially through Scottish Homes Grants for Rent or Ownership scheme.

Environment

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has received in the last full year and how many it has received regarding (a) human sewage in water courses; (b) animal or chemical fertiliser pollution in water courses; (c) quarries, in particular, (i) noise at quarries, (ii) dust from quarries, (iii) leachates from quarries, and (d) leaching of pollutants from landfill sites.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The information requested is primarily a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and may be obtained from SEPA. Information about noise from quarries is a matter for local authorities under the statutory nuisance provisions in Part III of the 1990 Act.

Equal Opportunities

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the present plans are for the development of the European Community Initiatives INTERREG II and EQUAL.

Angus MacKay: Following the adoption by the Commission on 14 April of guidelines for the Community initiative EQUAL, concerning equal opportunities in employment, the Scottish Executive has worked with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to prepare proposals for a UK plan. Scottish organisations were consulted on its possible content in the summer. Subsequently, the UK Government made proposals to the Commission and Scottish Executive officials are now involved in the continuing discussions with the Commission. We have kept the European Committee informed of developments. I expect implementation of the EQUAL programme to begin in the New Year.

  Guidelines for INTERREG II, concerned with inter-regional co-operation were adopted in May. As with EQUAL, the Scottish Executive is working closely with the UK Government, in the development of programmes for the North Sea, Atlantic and North West Europe programme areas. The Scottish Executive has sole UK responsibility for the Northern Periphery Programme, involving the Northern parts of Scotland, Finland, Sweden and Norway as well as other North Atlantic countries such as Iceland. These programmes are being developed in co-operation with other respective member states and "third countries". Again we have kept the European Committee informed of developments and expect implementation to begin in the New Year.

European Charter of Fundamental Rights

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty’s Government in relation to the Charter of Fundamental Rights to be considered at the Nice Inter-governmental Conference.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive has been in close contact with the UK Government on the Charter over the course of the negotiations, and has participated actively in the development of the UK’s negotiating position. The Solicitor General visited Brussels in September to discuss the Charter with the representative of the UK Government, Lord Goldsmith, Scottish Members of the European Parliament and others.

Field Sports

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been done to evaluate the impact of field sports on the tourism industry.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: The Scottish Tourist Board has undertaken some preliminary research into field sports and tourism. The information gathered can be found on their industry website at http://www.scotexchange.net/knowyourmarket/fieldsports.htm.

Field Sports

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs rely on field sports.

Rhona Brankin: This information is not held by the Scottish Executive. However, earlier this year, the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute was commissioned to investigate the economic impacts the enactment of Lord Watson’s Protection of Wild Mammals Bill might have on the rural economy and employment. The outcome of that research was published by the institute in June and is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. no. 9793).

Field Sports

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the value is of field sports to the tourism industry.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: Annually, around 100,000 trips to Scotland are made to shoot and spending totals £23 million. Approximately 110,000 visitors fish in Scotland every year, generating just under £30 million worth of tourism spend.

Film Industry

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is being given to encourage the film and television industry outside Glasgow and what proportion of Scottish Screen’s annual budget was spent outside Glasgow in the last three years.

Allan Wilson: Scottish Screen aims to promote film and television production across Scotland wherever it will have the greatest economic and cultural effect. While the film and television industry in Scotland is concentrated in Glasgow, Scottish Screen estimates that about 33% of its non-fixed expenditure over the past three years has been outside Glasgow.

Fire Service

Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland on his investigation of the actions of Tayside Fire Brigade in connection with the fire at 13 Cardean Street, Dundee, on 27 November 1997, in which Amanda Duncan lost her life, will be published.

Mr Jim Wallace: Mr Davis’ report will be published on 29 November. Amanda Duncan’s death was a tragedy and I sympathise deeply with the grief which her parents have experienced in consequence of it. I am grateful to Mr Davis for the thorough investigation which he has carried out and the well considered recommendations he has made. As he says in his report, it is essential that we learn all the lessons that can be learned from this incident, and I believe that he has indicated clearly what these lessons are. It is now for those to whom his recommendations are directed, including the Scottish Executive, Tayside Fire Board and the Inspectorate themselves, to do all that we can to ensure that there is no repetition of the events which led to this investigation.

Flood Prevention

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether research has been undertaken to ascertain any flooding impact on Clydeside of the cessation of dredging of the River Clyde by Clydeport Authority.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Executive does not hold details of this research but understands that studies into this matter were carried out by the former Strathclyde Regional Council.

  Since 1997 all local authorities have been required to publish biennial reports on flooding, these reports will record the instances of flooding in their areas.

Flood Prevention

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive by how much the level of water has increased in the River Clyde in the last 50 years and what impact this has had on Clydeside.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Executive does not hold information on water levels in the River Clyde. However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency holds records of flows from their network of gauging stations in the Clyde catchment, some of which date back 40 years. We understand that there seems to be little change in average flows during this period but a trend over the last 25 years of increased high flows. The relationship between river flow and water level depends on local river conditions. The impacts on Clydeside of any increases in water levels are matters for the consideration by the authorities concerned.

Freedom of Information

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5437 by Sarah Boyack on 31 March 2000, whether Ministers are permitted to publish legal advice received, regardless of the fact that the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information could be used to justify non-disclosure and, if so, whether it will publish the advice on which the Minister for Transport and the Environment’s decision to instruct that a public inquiry be held in relation to the application by Associated British Ports for the Troon Revision Order was based.

Sarah Boyack: The general policy of the Scottish Executive is that it does not disclose legal advice, nor the fact that it has taken legal advice. It is not considered that there is any reason to depart from that policy in this case.

Glasgow Zoo

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of Glasgow Zoo’s current financial situation, whether it intends to provide any financial aid to the zoo to alleviate this situation and what alternative arrangements it intends to make to replace the educational and volunteering opportunities which the zoo provides in the event of its closure.

Allan Wilson: The Executive has no plans to provide financial aid to Glasgow Zoo. The future of educational and volunteering initiatives at the zoo are a matter for its owners.

Groundwater Charges

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the impact of groundwater charges on farmers and crofters.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive consults frequently with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about matters in relation to which the agency has responsibilities, including the charging scheme for authorisations under the Groundwater Regulations 1998.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to charge for GP or hospital visits.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive has no plans to do so.

Health

Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7398 by Susan Deacon on 14 June 2000, whether it will detail by (a) health board and (b) hospital, the incidence of burkholdaria cepacia in each of the last ten years, showing the number of fatalities and the age groups of those affected.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) have provided data on the incidences of burkholderia cepacia over the last 10 years split by health board, reporting laboratory, and grouped by age. Most laboratories are located within the diagnosing hospital.

  The centre received no reports of fatalities as a result of this infection. The General Register Office for Scotland has confirmed that burkholderia cepacia is recorded as the cause of death of an 18-year-old girl who died in Gartnavel General Hospital in 1996.

  The data are listed in the table below:

  


Year


Health Board


Laboratory Reporting


No. of Cases


Age Group
(Years)


Total




1990
 
 



Ayrshire & Arran
Greater Glasgow


Crosshouse Hospital
Royal Hospital for Sick Children
Victoria Infirmary
Royal Infirmary


2

1
1
1


0-4

<1 year
65+
40-44



 
 
 
5




1991


Ayrshire & Arran
 
 
Greater Glasgow
 
Highland


Crosshouse Hospital
 
 
Victoria Infirmary
Western Infirmary
Raigmore Hospital


1
1
1

1
1

1


<1 month
35-39
50-54

50-54
30-34

15-19



 
 
 
 
 
 
6




1992


Ayrshire & Arran
 
Grampian
 
Tayside


Crosshouse Hospital
 
Foresterhill
 
Perth Royal Infirmary


1
1

1
1

1


45-49
65+

65+
15-19

65+



 
 
 
 
 
5




1993


Ayrshire & Arran
Argyll & Clyde
Forth Valley
 
Greater Glasgow
 
Lanarkshire
Lothian


Crosshouse Hospital
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Falkirk & District Royal Infirmary
 
Stobhill General Hospital
Western Infirmary
Hairmyres
Royal Infirmary


1

1

1

 
1
1

1

1


65+

15-19

< 1 month

 
30-34
Unknown

65+

25-29



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7




1994


Ayrshire & Arran


Crosshouse Hospital


2


< 1 month
15-19



2




1995


Ayrshire & Arran
 
 
Grampian
Lanarkshire
Lothian


Crosshouse Hospital
 
 
Foresterhill
Law Hospital
Royal Infirmary


1
1
1

1

1

1


35-39
40-44
65+

65+

15-19

55-59



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6




1996


Ayrshire & Arran
Argyll & Clyde
Greater Glasgow
Lanarkshire
Lothian


Crosshouse Hospital
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Stobhill General Hospital
Law Hospital
Royal Infirmary


1

1

1

1

1


55-59

< 1 year

65+

40-44

65+



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5




1997


Ayrshire & Arran
Greater Glasgow
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian


Crosshouse Hospital
Royal Infirmary
Raigmore Hospital
Law Hospital
Royal Infirmary


1

1

1

2

1


65+

55-59

0-4

65+

60-64



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6




1998


Ayrshire & Arran
Forth Valley
Greater Glasgow
 
Lanarkshire


Crosshouse Hospital
Falkirk & District Royal Infirmary
Stobhill General Hospital
Western Infirmary
Monklands Hospital


1

2

1
1

1


60-64

Unknown

65+
50-54

65+



 
 
 
 
 
 
6




1999


Greater Glasgow
 
 
 
Lothian


Royal Hospital for Sick Children
Southern General Hospital
Stobhill General Hospital
Royal Infirmary
Western General Hospital


2

1
1

1
1


0-4

65+
60-64

65+
<1 year



 
 
 
 
 
6

TOTAL
54

Health

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many publicly funded projects aimed at encouraging walking have been completed since 1997 and what the location was of each such project.

Sarah Boyack: Responsibility for walking infrastructure rests with local authorities. Information on the number and location of projects carried out by local authorities is not held centrally.

  The Scottish Executive can, however, use the Public Transport Fund to enable authorities to carry out projects which assist pedestrians. Dumfries and Galloway Council were awarded £0.9 million over three years (1999-2002) for an integrated package of measures for Dumfries which included a large element to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in the town. Midlothian Council were awarded £0.802 million from this fund for a pedestrian and cyclists’ overbridge at Sheriffhall.

  Most recently, I announced on 9 November that six further projects to improve facilities for walking and cycling will receive a total of £4.3 million from the Public Transport Fund. Those projects which include a walking element are located in East Renfrewshire, Stranraer, Kilmarnock, the Helensburgh and Lomond area and Renfrewshire.

  Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission have also funded or carried out projects to improve access facilities for walkers and other users. Information on these projects is not held centrally.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details and costs of any programmes of conversion to the Euro being undertaken within the NHS.

Susan Deacon: The NHS in Scotland is carrying out a measure of pre-planning for the possible introduction of the Euro as set out in HM Treasury’s Second Outline National Changeover Plan published on 9 March 2000. The costs of this ongoing exercise are contained within normal running costs and cannot be separately identified.

Housing

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has formally replied to the public comments on 29 September 2000 of the Director of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations in relation to plans for housing and stock transfer across Scotland.

Jackie Baillie: The comments referred to relate to the Federation’s response to the Executive’s proposals for the Housing Bill as set out in Better Homes for Scotland’s Communities . All the responses to that document are currently being considered.

Influenza

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2273 by Susan Deacon of 20 September 2000 what further additional steps it has taken to publicise the influenza vaccination programme for those aged 65 and over.

Susan Deacon: The measures being taken to publicise the influenza vaccination programme were outlined fully in my reply to question S1O-2273. The second phase of the publicity campaign is currently in train.

Learning Disability Services Review

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the implementation of its Learning Disability Services Review .

Malcolm Chisholm: When the review was published on 11 May 2000, views were sought on how to implement its recommendations. These views are now being considered, and an implementation plan is being drawn up. £36 million has been made available for implementation over the next three years.

Legislation

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to introduce legislation to limit the height of hedges in residential gardens.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive has been considering responses to a consultation paper issued earlier this year on the subject of high boundary hedges. The paper sought views on the extent of problems caused by high hedges in Scotland and on whether existing remedies were sufficient to deal with problems or whether additional measures were needed. Evaluation of responses is almost complete and I will announce my conclusions later this year.

Ministerial Costs

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown by department of monies spent on foreign travel by Ministers and officials since 6 May 1999.

Angus McKay: All of the information sought is not held centrally. It is being assembled and I will write to Mr Neil shortly.

Ministers

David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Parliament complied with paragraph 2.20 of the Scottish Ministerial Code before he initiated civil proceedings in his personal capacity against Scottish Media Newspapers Ltd. and Iain McWhirter in the Court of Session and, if so, when he consulted with the Law Officers.

Henry McLeish: I am responsible for the Ministerial Code and judgments about compliance with its terms are a matter for me.

  I can confirm that the Minister for Parliament consulted the Law Officers before initiating civil proceedings against Scottish Media Newspapers Ltd. and Iain McWhirter.

National Strategy for Carers

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the implementation of the National Strategy for Carers.

Malcolm Chisholm: Since the strategy was launched in November 1999 we have been acting on a number of fronts to turn the strategy into action, including:

  We have asked local authorities to spend £10 million from this year on supporting carers, double the funding previously earmarked. We will check that these resources are used effectively and in discussion with local carers groups.

  The NHS Helpline was extended from April to provide information and advice to carers.

  We undertook a major national media campaign in the spring to alert carers to the strategy and the helpline.

  In May we made information packs for young carers available to all primary, secondary and independent schools.

  In November we announced grant awards of £500,000 over the next three years to 11 voluntary sector projects aimed at supporting carers and implementing the strategy at a local level.

  A working group considering whether changes in the law are needed to ensure carers are properly supported is expected to make recommendations to the Executive by the end of the year. We plan to consult widely on its proposals.

  We will continue to work to improve the support and recognition given to carers.

Non-Domestic Rates

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered whether a small business rates relief scheme could be administered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the costs met from their budgets; if so, when this possibility was first considered; whether this possibility has been discussed by (a) its Cabinet and (b) the Small Businesses Consultative Group and what conclusions were reached as a result of any such discussions.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The best means of administering a small business rates relief scheme is being considered carefully as part of our assessment. I am keen to ensure that administration costs can be minimised as far as possible.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8508 by Mr Tom McCabe on 30 August 2000, on how many occasions since 10 July 2000 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in order to enable it to make an announcement and whether it will provide a list of such questions, including the date on which they were lodged and the MSP who lodged them.

Mr Tom McCabe: This information is not readily available and will take some time to collect. I shall write to the member when it is available and will place a copy of the letter in SPICe.

Rail Services

Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated or intends to investigate any discrepancies and anomalies in ticket prices in newly published railway timetables issued by train operators.

Sarah Boyack: Railway timetables do not contain information about ticket prices.

Renewable Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide greater community involvement in renewable energy schemes and what funds are currently available for such schemes.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Under the last round of the Scottish Renewables Obligation in 1997, special provision was made to encourage the development of small, community-scale clusters of wind turbines. The Executive is committed to a significant increase in renewable energy and we wish to explore the possibilities for more community-based renewable energy developments in Scotland. The forthcoming consultation document on the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will seek views on our detailed proposals for promoting renewables, and on what levels of support are required to realise our objectives.

Renewable Energy

Mr Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the generation of electricity from renewable sources and what progress is being made on the review of the capacity of the Scottish electricity grid to connect more renewables.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The interim report produced by the Network Study Group, which comprised Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy, the Scottish Renewables Forum, Inter-University Centre for Economic Renewable Power Delivery, Ofgem and the Department of Trade and Industry has been placed in SPICe.

  The study group has identified that around £210 million would need to be invested in the Scottish transmission networks in order to allow renewable electricity generation to expand so that it can meet the expected demand arising from the Renewables (Scotland) Obligation and the Renewables Obligation in England and Wales. This is considerably higher than previous estimates, but it provides a good basis for further examination of the costs involved in meeting our renewables target, which were set subject to the cost to the consumer not being excessive.

  I have asked the study group to continue its work to update the 1993 report on the renewables potential in Scotland and so that a more detailed assessment of the options and the costs can be made.

Residential Care

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any research in Scotland with regard to the administering of drugs by concealing them in food or drinks in residential and nursing homes.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any current research in this area.

  Arrangements are in place for the regular announced and unannounced inspections of all care homes, the medical records kept and the procedures followed for the safe administration of medicines. These protections will carry forward to our planned arrangements for the future regulation of care in care homes.

Rural Affairs

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) review and (b) reform the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in particular, section 28.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I am currently considering what improvements could be made to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and will make an announcement in due course.

Science and Technology

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in relation to the appointment and running of the (a) Office of Science and Technology, (b) Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, (c) Transdepartmental Science and Technology Group and (d) Council for Science and Technology and what representations or directions have been made by it over the last year.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Executive liaises regularly with the Office of Science and Technology on a wide range of issues which relate to reserved, devolved and concurrent powers. The Office of Science and Technology (of which the Transdepartmental Science and Technology Group is part), is part of the Department of Trade and Industry of the United Kingdom Government. The Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government, who heads the Office of Science and Technology is appointed by the Prime Minister. The Council for Science and Technology is a UK Government advisory body which is answerable to the UK Government and whose members are appointed by the Prime Minister.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding its finances over the last two financial years and in this financial year.

Mr Jack McConnell: The regular Liaison Group meetings involving Scottish Executive and Scottish Qualifications Authority officials discuss various matters, including their financial implications where appropriate. In addition, meetings were held in July 1999, to discuss the funding of the development of the Higher Still programme, and in October 2000, to discuss entry charges. Discussions between officials also take place as part of the annual approval by Ministers of the SQA’s budget.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Qualifications Authority first indicated that it was expecting to accumulate a deficit during the current financial year, each of the two previous financial years, and what reasons were given for anticipating such deficits.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is obliged to inform the Executive if it is likely that its expenditure on any individual accounts will exceed agreed estimates by more than £50,000. The SQA notified us in September of a likely deficit in this financial year due to additional work undertaken to resolve the problems with Diet 2000. The full financial implications are currently being quantified and will be discussed with SQA in detail.

  Deficits were projected in the annual budget estimates exercise in December in each of the two previous financial years. The establishment of SQA in 1997 and the associated costs of merging the Scottish Examination Board and the Scottish Vocational Education Council led to a substantial deficit in the first year of operations which the organisation has since gradually reduced.

Skye Bridge

Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost it to bring the Skye Bridge into public ownership.

Sarah Boyack: The Skye Bridge is already owned by Scottish Ministers. The bridge was procured by and is operated, maintained and tolled by Skye Bridge Limited under contract. The Executive has not estimated the cost of terminating that contract, but has fulfilled the Programme for Government commitment to freeze tolls at 1999 levels.

Smoking

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether smoking cessation services have been introduced in every health board area and how many people have received free nicotine replacement therapy as a result.

Susan Deacon: Following the launch of Smoking Kills in December 1998, £3 million was allocated to health boards for smoking cessation services and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to be targeted at areas of social deprivation.

  Smoking cessation has also been identified as a priority for investment from the £26 million Health Promotion Fund. Health boards will be able to provide more practical support through the NHS for those people who want to quit smoking.

  Comprehensive information on local smoking cessation services and on the number of people who have received free NRT is not held centrally.

Speech Therapy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to promote speech and language therapy as a career option.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive values the contribution of Speech and Language Therapists to the National Health Service in Scotland in partnership with other agencies such as education and social services.

  The number of applications for pre-registration courses in Scotland leading to state registration as a Speech and Language Therapist remains buoyant. The Scottish Executive is aware of the need to recruit and retain high quality staff and continues to develop a range of measures to ensure this is achieved.

Tourism

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage change in visitor numbers, compared with the previous year, was in each Area Tourist Board in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 seasons.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The figures for UK visitors are given in the table below:

  UK visitors

  

 

% change in bednights 
compared with previous year



 

1997


1998


1999




Aberdeen & Grampian


+4.2


-18


+12.2




Angus & Dundee


+90


-15.8


+25




Argyll, the Isles, Stirling, Loch 
Lomond & Trossachs


+13.9


-10.9


-10.4




Ayrshire & Arran


-18.75


+2.5


-15




Dumfries & Galloway


+4.3


0


+37.5




Edinburgh & Lothians


-3.9


-4


+37.5




Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley


-5.6


+13.7


+6.9




Highlands of Scotland*


+21.3


-26.4


+17.9




Kingdom of Fife


-9.7


-3.6


-14.9




Perthshire


+32


-33.3


-9.1




Scottish Borders


+77.7


+31.2


-52.4




  * Data for HOST include Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles Tourist Boards.

  Data for overseas visitors to Scotland in 1999 are currently being compiled. The figures for 1997 and 1998 are as follows:

  Overseas visitors

  

 

% change in bednights 
compared with previous year



 

1997


1998




Aberdeen & Grampian


+8.3


0




Angus & Dundee


+42.8


-30




Argyll, the Isles, Stirling Loch 
Lomond & Trossachs


0


0




Ayrshire & Arran


-6.6


-33




Dumfries & Galloway


+33


-75




Edinburgh & Lothians


+1.7


-55.2




Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley


-24


+15.8




Highlands of Scotland*


0


-10.4




Kingdom of Fife


-33


+100




Perthshire


-14.3


+16.6




Scottish Borders


0


0




  * Data for HOST include Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles Tourist Boards.

Transport

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many publicly funded projects aimed at encouraging cycling have been completed since 1997 and what the location was of each such project.

Sarah Boyack: Responsibility for cycling infrastructure rests with local authorities. Information on the number and location of projects carried out by local authorities is not held centrally.

  In 1998-99, however, the Scottish Office funded 35 projects through the Cycle Challenge Fund. The locations of these projects are listed in Table 1 below. The total project costs were just under £2 million and the grant awarded was £0.58 million. An evaluation of the outcome of the fund is currently under way.

  In addition, the Scottish Office, and now the Scottish Executive, has, through the Trunk Roads Cycling Initiative, funded those stretches of the National Cycle Network which interface with or cross the trunk road network. Completed works are valued at over £6 million. Details are given in Table 2 below.

  Finally, the Scottish Executive can use the Public Transport Fund to enable authorities to carry out projects which assist cyclists. Dumfries and Galloway Council were awarded £0.9 million over three years (1999-2002) for an integrated package of measures for Dumfries which included a large element to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in the town. Midlothian Council were awarded £0.802 million from this fund for a pedestrian and cyclists’ overbridge at Sheriffhall.

  Most recently, I announced on 9 November that six further projects to improve facilities for walking and cycling will receive a total of £4.3 million from the Public Transport Fund. Those projects which include a cycling element are located in East Renfrewshire, Stranraer, Kilmarnock, the Helensburgh and Lomond area, Perth and Kinross, and Renfrewshire.

  Table 1: Location of Cycle Challenge Initiative Projects

  


1


Aberdeen (3 projects)




2


Aberdeenshire (2 
projects)




3


Forfar, Carnoustie 
and Montrose




4


Clackmannanshire




5


Cycle Touring Club 
National Cycle Database Website




8


Dundee (3 projects)




9


East Dunbartonshire 
(2 projects)




11


Glenrothes




12


Peebles




13


Edinburgh (3 projects)




14


Glasgow (4 projects)




15


Nairn




16


Inverness (2 projects)




17


Inverclyde




18


Loch Leven




19


Lothian




20


Moray




21


Orkney




22


Dunfermline




23


Scotrail - projects 
benefited large area




24


Shetland




25


East Kilbride




26


Dumfries and Galloway 
and Aberdeenshire




  Table 2: Location of trunk road interface sections and crossings for the national cycle network and other trunk road cycling facilities.

  


A1


2 locations




A701


3 locations




A737


1 location




A75


1 location




A76


5 locations




A77


5 locations




A8/M8


1 location




A82


2 locations





A82/A9


1 location




A828


1 location




A86


2 locations




A876


1 location




A889


1 location




A9


10 locations




A90


3 locations




A95


1 location




A96 


8 locations




M77


2 locations




M8/M9


1 location




M90


1 location




M74 Corridor


Various Locations

Voluntary Sector

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Voluntary Issues Review Group has met to date and, for each meeting, (a) what was on the agenda, (b) what decisions were taken and (c) what action was taken.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Voluntary Issues Review Group which is chaired by Jackie Baillie has met on seven occasions. It has discussed a number of issues related to the impact on voluntary organisations of the criminal record checks which will become available under Part V of the Police Act 1997. Details can be found in the meeting minutes, copies of which have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

  I expect the group to report by the end of the calendar year on the outcome of its deliberations.

Voluntary Sector

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a progress report on the work of the Voluntary Issues Review Group.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Part V Voluntary Issues Review Group, which is chaired by Jackie Baillie, has almost completed its task and I expect it to report by the end of the calendar year on the outcome of the its deliberations.

Voluntary Sector

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the minutes of all meetings to date of the Voluntary Issues Review Group.

Mr Jim Wallace: I am arranging for copies of the minutes of the meetings of the Part V Voluntary Issues Review Group, which Jackie Baillie chairs, to be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

  I expect the group to report by the end of the calendar year on the outcome of its deliberations.

Voluntary Sector

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made a decision regarding the levying of Scottish Criminal Records Office checks on voluntary organisations.

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give voluntary organisations at this time that they will not be charged for compulsory Scottish Criminal Records Office checks.

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Voluntary Issues Review Group dealing with Part V of the Police Act will be published.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Part V Voluntary Issues Review Group, which is chaired by Jackie Baillie, has been examining a number of issues, of which charges is one, related to the possible impact on voluntary organisations of the introduction of criminal record checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997.

  I expect the group to report by the end of the calendar year on the outcome of its deliberations. Decisions about charges will be made as soon as possible thereafter.

Waste Management

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland is on course to meet its commitments in relation to the EC Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62) and, if not, what action it intends to take to improve performance.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Following consultation earlier this year, I laid before Parliament on Friday 17 November, proposed regulations which would increase the packaging recovery targets which companies with obligations under the packaging recovery scheme have to meet in 2001. These are aimed at ensuring the UK meets the Directive’s targets. Subject to Parliament’s approval, the Regulations will come into force on 1 January 2001.

  The packaging recovery scheme is the means by which the UK complies with the Packaging Directive. It was designed to operate in a unitary way across Great Britain. It is therefore not possible to disaggregate data relating to compliance in Scotland.

  Working on the assumption that Scotland’s share of the UK obligation is approximately 10% of the total, the Executive is satisfied that Scotland will meet the Directive’s targets.